As animal lovers interested in all the latest pet and pet travel trends, the PetRelocation team is always curious about the pet presence at SXSW -- one of the biggest tech conferences in the world.

Each year a few Interactive panels embrace animal-related topics (usually in the form of cat videos and social media), and side parties often feature pet guests of honor to drum up attendance and publicity for various start-ups and brands.

So, what's going on in 2015? Here's a rundown of pet-related events at SXSW this year.

Official SXSW Panels:

'Cat'astrophe: Good, Bad & Ugly of Internet Cats -- Despite their online popularity, do cats get less care and respect than dogs in the real world? Bryan Kortis of PetSmart Charities and Jackson Galaxy, a cat behaviorist, discuss the lives of cats in today's well-meaning but often very flawed world. This panel is open to Interactive, Gold and Platinum badge holders. (Monday, March 16, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Animal Planet's Next Cat Star Party -- Here's a chance to hang out with the next big cat reality star (because that exists, of course) and vote on your favorite finalists while partying with fellow cat lovers and Austin 80s cover band The Spazmatics. This event is open to Interactive, Gold and Platinum badge holders. (Sunday, March 15, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m.)

GIS Mapping: Using Technology to Save the Lives of Dogs and Cats -- Presenters from the ASPCA will discuss how advances in technology can help lower euthanasia rates and alleviate pet homelessness. This panel is open to Music, Interactive, Gold, Platinum badge, and Artist wristband holders. (Tuesday, March 14, 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.)

VodkaforDogPeople: Matchmaking a Business Heart -- Two Austin businesses, Tito's Handmade Vodka and Emancipet, have forged an unlikely but strong and mutually beneficial partnership that relies on a love of pets. Reps from each company, Beth Bellanti and Amy Mills, will tell you all about it. (This panel is open to Interactive, Gold and Platinum badge holders. (Monday, March 16 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.)

Events Involving Pets:

Mophie Rescue: If you find your phone battery can't quite keep up with the constant texting and Twitter-checking that SXSW demands, maybe a dog can save you. Festival folks are invited to tweet at @Mophie and, if you meet the designated requirements (phone life and location), a St. Bernard will come to your rescue with a phone charger. Sounds pretty gimmicky, but at least the dogs are adoptable? (Ongoing)

PetRelocation's Yappy Hour -- Of course we have to mention our own party! We're inviting pet lovers to stop by for some puppy playtime on Friday and quality cat time on Saturday (all furry friends are up for adoption with Austin Pets Alive!) along with free beer, a photo booth, swag and more. Find out more and RSVP here. (Friday, March 13, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Haus of Bacon -- Grumpy Cat is returning to SXSW for the third year in a row and will be appearing at a "one-of-a-kind art gallery that includes a team of celebrity cats." This blessed event will take place at 200 N. Congress and is free and open to the public. (Saturday, March 14, 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday, March 15, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.)

Did we miss any? Some side parties might be dog-friendly (note that ours is not), but we suggest considering your pet's comfort and safety before bringing them to a crowded or loud event. Have fun, everyone, and we hope to see you at SXSW!

Now that your move is complete, it's time to make your new home safe and comfortable for you and your pet. In this guest post, Home Depot's Ronique Gibson offers some advice for installing one of humanity's greatest inventions: the pet door.

How to Choose the Best Location for Your Pet Door

You've found the perfect new house, and you're eager to settle in -- both for yourself and for your pet's sake. But if the previous homeowner didn't have pets and your dog or cat loves to go outside and inside without your assistance, one of your first challenges will be providing that access.

Installing a pet door in your new home can help your pet be independent and can save you from attending to their every move. Before you pull out the drill and screws, take a look at these tips to choose the ideal location for the door. Remember, just because your wall looks ideal, ensure it works architecturally with your home and, of course, is safe against intruders.

Ensure your new home is comfortable for your pet

Assess your new house and its outdoor area

The first step to choosing the perfect location is to walk around the outside of your home and determine where the outdoor area coincides with your exterior walls. A pet door should be placed on an exterior wall that is adjacent to a dog run, enclosed patio, or fenced-in yard area.

Make sure any outdoor repairs are made before letting your pet roam free outside. The previous owner may have a broken fence or a gate that doesn't latch closed properly.

Trace along the exterior wall of your home to a back patio door, utility room door, or a bare wall that serves a utilitarian function on the inside of your home. Private rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms may not serve as a good choice for privacy and security reasons.

Choose a wall or door that works architecturally and is secure from intruders

Choosing the right exterior wall or door

The construction of your house makes a difference when choosing the location for a pet door. If you're moving into a home that has a brick or concrete load-bearing exterior wall, it may be more of a challenge for you to install a pet door. Instead, you may want to opt for a flap door inside of an exterior door. Many homeowners get custom pet doors made to fit into the construction of their exterior walls. Especially if you're moving to a climate that has extreme temperature conditions, an insulated pet door that can be locked could be the perfect option.

A pet door installed in a door could be easier than a wall installation

Measuring your pet and wall for a pet door

Once you've determined what area of your home will work best for the pet door, don't forget to measure your furry friend! (I have a neighbor whose cat used to fit through the pet door in their garage, but now he can't use it because he's gained too much weight as he's aged.)

Here are some basic guidelines for measuring your pet door; you will need these measurements to ensure your pet can fit safely.

· The width of your pet: measure around their widest part and add a few inches to be safe.

· How tall or high does your pet stand off the floor? Measure them from the top of the shoulders to the floor. The top of your pet door should be 1 ½"-2" above this measurement.

Once you have these basic measurements, outline them on a piece of cardboard and hold it up to the interior and exterior of your home to ensure the measurements won't impede on any downspouts, doorway entries or other structural pieces of your home. Now you're ready to install your new pet door.

Moving can be exciting but also a little scary if your pet doesn't feel at home in their new house. Use these guidelines to assess the safest, most convenient and architecturally ideal place to put your new pet door. Before you know it both you and your pet will be settled into your new home as if you've lived there for years.

Ronique Gibson writes on home styles, DIY, and interior design for the Home Depot. Ronique is the author of the ebook 111 Simple Tips for your Everyday Home and she has a Bachelors of Architecture from Tuskegee University. You can view a variety of pet and dog doors available at Home Depot, including styles mentioned by Ronique, on Home Depot's website.

“In what has proven to be yet another impressive year for marketers, it is remarkable to see what this group has been able to achieve,” said Kevin Akeroyd, general manager, Oracle Marketing Cloud. "Oracle is proud to recognize our winners for their outstanding achievements and their dedication to modern marketing.”

Thank you to all of our amazing clients for choosing us to be a part of their relocations, for letting us share their stories, and for inspiring us with their dedication to their pets.

Read some of these incredible customer experiences and find out more about all the 2014 Markie Award winners. As you'll see we're in fine company, and PetRelocation offers heartfelt congratulations to all the other winners and nominees. Thanks again to Oracle for this recognition!

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